Tied Together (The Cade Siblings Duology #1)

49. Alana

CHAPTER 49

Alana

I smile as I pour the yeast into a bowl of warm water and wait, watching it bubble. After everything that happened at the holiday party, I wasn’t sure I would be able to muster up enough Christmas magic to make these days as special as I wanted them to be. My phone call with Heather did the trick, though. Plus the kitchen dancing last night.

Despite all of the good news, every so often my mind likes to remind me of the things Genevieve said, and every time I tell it to shut up. It’s getting exhausting, but I know eventually it’ll get easier.

I’ve decided to put all of that out of my head, though, because today is Christmas Eve and I couldn’t be more excited. I have tried calling Charlie a few times today to wish him a happy Christmas Eve and just spend some time with him, albeit virtually, but he isn’t answering any of my calls. He’s probably holed up with some girl he took home, and it’s annoying. I try to put that out of my mind too and stay in the present moment. I’ll talk to him eventually.

My pink and red pajamas are sitting on my bed waiting for me and I plan to slip them on and cozy up by the fireplace as soon as I get these cinnamon rolls prepped.

It’s important to mix all the ingredients for the dough the night before, that way it has enough time to rise. Sometimes I do that two days before and then I go ahead and add the filling, roll and cut them ahead of time, that way I can just place them in the oven Christmas morning. This year though, I thought it would be fun for Alex and I to do that part together, so I’m just getting the dough done.

Before long, I’ve got everything mixed up and the bowl greased. I place the dough into the bowl and grab a kitchen towel to cover it. As I’m placing the bowl into the fridge to rise overnight, I hear my phone chime. Turning back around, I pick it up and glance at the screen but realize it isn’t my phone, it’s Alex’s. He must have left his here by accident.

I never snoop on his phone, I’ve never felt the need, but my eyes have already seen the email notification that’s come through. It’s from Heather and the subject line says Promotion Offer. The preview of the email shocks me further.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject : Paris Relocation Promotion Offer

Email: Alex, Thank you for the phone call today. I am excited about…

I can’t see the rest, because his phone is still locked and I don’t even want to read it. I drop the phone like it’s a hot poker and take a few steps back, trying to rationalize this in my head. No matter what way I turn it over and over, I can’t make it fit.

Alex wouldn’t keep this from me… would he? My initial sadness is because of the word ‘Paris’ in that email, but after a few seconds I realize I’m more crushed that he’s keeping secrets from me. This relationship is new, but I never thought this is something he would do.

I look at the clock and realize he’s probably going to be home any minute. I can’t process this information here, and I need to think before I confront him with a conversation. I need to figure out my feelings about this before I’m forced into that.

I rush into the bedroom and pull out a bag, then throw random items inside. I’m not even sure what I’m grabbing, all I know is I need to get out before he gets home and convinces me to stay. I don’t even realize there are tears streaming down my face until they land in splashes on the bathroom counter as I’m gathering my toiletries. I ignore them and continue packing. I need to go somewhere where I can breathe, where I won’t see him everywhere I turn. I am certain I’m in love with him at this point, but if he’s going to keep secrets from me, I don’t know if we’re going to work.

I spot the pajamas he got me and pause before grabbing them and throwing them in too. Even though I need space to think, it’ll be nice to have him with me in one small way.

I quickly look up the nearest hotel on my phone and call them. I’m aware that it’s Christmas Eve, so finding a hotel room might be difficult, but I need to try. After three different no’s, I get a yes and book the room without thinking twice about it.

Before I leave, I scribble out a note for him and leave his phone right by it, then I shut the door behind me and climb into the car with Marco. I give him the address to the hotel and he only flashes me a look of concern before climbing into the front seat and driving me there.